Ventable primable spark plug



July 5, 1932. E. B. ANDERS EN VENTABLE PRIMABLE SPARK, PLUG Filed Jan. 20. 1930 INVENTOR. I

Patented July 1932 EARL B. 'ANDERSEN, OF SALINAS, CALIFORNIA VENTABLE PRIMABLE SPARK PLUG Application filed January 20, 1930. 7 Serial No. 422,142.

present invention relates broadly to spar plugs, but more particularly to a novel type of spark plug whose vertical electrode comprehends a. valve stem adapted to vent 5 the cylinder when the stem is depressed.

The invention further relates to a scheme of cranks and draw-bars whereby an operator by actuation of a single lever can vent all said cylinders synchronously. The invention still further relates to a priming system whereby all the cylinders may be primed from the instrument board without the operator having to leave his seat or raise the hood. My present invention is of great advantage for all types of internal-combustion engines and particularly so for large farm tractors 'and'the like which are so much easier turned over when the compression is relieved.

The invention comprehends' the following objects and desiratums To provide a spark plug with an axiallylnovable electrode adapted for external actuation and driver-contro1led.

To provide a spark plug with a nut-like priming cup and means whereby a series of such cups may be connected together with a common supply tank, suitable checks being provided to prevent explosion of gas in said tank.

To provide a suitable metallic shell or body adapted to form said valve seat, valve journal and suitably insulated to prevent shorts.

To provide for suificient vent between the 85 valve stem for a suitable distance above the valve when seated and to providecertain ducts leading from said space obliquely outward and upward to emerge in a priming cup.

I From about the top of the enlarged portion of said shell to its upper extremity the portion of said shell is bored to be-a working fit for up and down movement therein of the valve stem and adapted to hold said stem in true vertical alinement.

Further objects and advantages will appear, be particularly pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the drawing annexed hereto, in which v I Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a spark plug of my invention with certain parts cut away for -clarity, theportion to the right being shown schematically.

Fig. 2 is a vertical mid-section of Fig. 1. Similar indicia. of reference refer to simiw lar part-s throughout the views. 1 Referring particularly to the drawing A denotes a portion of a cylinder structure.

In-Fig. 1 the bushing 2 is shown screwed into the said structure; whereas, the threaded .shank--3. of the plug body 4 isthreaded for interengagement with the bushing 2 as well shown in said figure; whereas, in Fig. 2 the body 4 attaches to the structure A direct with the usual taper connection;

'Ijhe body 4 which is preferably hex-shaped in its upper outline is counter-bored cylindrically to receive the lower portion of the insulated element 5. Theupper shoulder 6 seats the lower end 7 of the priming cup 8 the said end being suitably screw-threaded for interengagement with female threads in the upper end of the body 4, a construction which binds the whole plug very securely and rigidly together when said cup is screwed tight in place.

V The element 5 is preferably porcelain or othersuitable insulating material which is formed round the metallic shell B. Reading upwardly said shell comprises the basic cylinv drical portion 9, beginning a sufficient distance above the seat 10 for efficient insulation it extends upwardly; to meet the seat 9a. From the seat said shell rises cylindrically parallel to the point 12, where it closes in to meet the valve stem 11. From there on up said shell acts merely as a guide for true alinement of the valve stem 11.

acent the point 12 a plurality of vent holes are provided preferably drilled at an angle obliquelyupward from the inside.

The lower end of the valve stem, in other words the electrode 13 is also suitably in.- sulated, being preferably a separate piece adapted to screw up centrally into the valve 11a so as to be carried up and down in fixed relation thereto. The lower end 14 being nakedand adapted to operate as one memberof the sparking device the ground member 15 being suitably attached or otherwise grounded to the cylinder A or the member 3.

The combination and arrangement of parts asabove comprise the spark plug of my present invention, but in order to, render it workable and get the full benefit of the improvements and advantages thereof I provide the following:-

The bracket C secured to the structure A and disposed in axial alinement with the assembly of spark plugs attached to their related cylinders. The fork 16 carries the crank limbs 1718 pivoted by the pin 19. The upright member 20 serves to anchor the left-hand end of the spring 21, the riglit-hand end being hooked to the limb 17 adjacent the upper end thereof. The parts being so arranged that when the lever 22 is drawn to the right the limb 18 is depressed so as to open the valve 11a as shown in Fig. 2.

When fulminatin'g the opening of said valve directs keen and powerful jets of gasses up to the atmosphere through all the several ducts 24, thoroughly freeing the cylinders of carbon. Obviously gasoline may now be simultaneously primed to all said cylinders by gravity from the tank 25 adjacent the driver being led down through the pipe 26 and the checks 27.

It should be understood that each and every spark plug used in a system according to mine is hooked up in series so that all are vented or primed when one is. The above is my ideal arrangement although obviously if one should wish to use said spark plugs without the whole equipment he may do so and operate the valve mechanism and the priming manually.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of: the same, and that various changes in the'shape, size, composition and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described the invention, I claim r In a spark plug, a plug body, an insulator element within the body, the lower end of the insulator element contacting the body, the intermediate and upper portions of the insulator element being successively annularly reduced, a cylindrical priming cup and guard mounted in the upper end of the body and engaged with the lower end of the insulator element at the base of the anularly reduced intermediate portion with its upper end terminating adjacent the upper end of the insulator element, said cup and guard being spaced from the intermediate portion of the insulator element to form a pocket, said insulator element having a longitudinal bore therethrough annular'ly enlarged over substantially half its length at the lower end and the lower end being flared outwardly to provide a valve seat, a metallic lining for the bore and valve seat, a valve stem frictionally engaged with the upper portion of the bore and freely passing through the bore enlargement and valve seat, a valve carried by the lowerend of the stem to form an electrode, and the insulating member having ventopenings therein above said pocketat the juncture of the successively annularly reduced portions forming communication between the interior of the element and a space between the cup and insulator element at the upper end of the pocket with the wall of the cup forming the guard spaced from the vent opening.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature this 10th day of January, 1930.

EARL B. ANDERSEN. 

